WHAT IS HORMONE?
Hormones are key chemical substances that travel in the bloodstream to regulate many bodily systems, including our reproductive systems.
If the level of a particular hormone in the reproductive system is off, a hormone imbalance or deficiency results, which can affect fertility.
Hormones — such as estrogen, testosterone, adrenaline and insulin — are extremely important chemical messengers that affect many aspects of your overall health. Hormones are secreted by various glands and organs including your thyroid, adrenals, pituitary, ovaries, testicles and pancreas. The entire endocrine system works together to control the level of hormones circulating throughout your body, and if one or more is even even slightly imbalanced it can cause widespread, major health problems.
Hormones cause the changes and time of release of healthy eggs from a woman’s ovaries for fertilization by sperm.
The reproductive hormones in women are:
1. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) Produced by the hypothalamus gland in the brain, this stimulates the pituitary gland to release (FSH) or (LH). If these two are out of balance, ovulation will not occur or happen effectively.
2. (FSH) Follicle stimulating hormone
3. (LH) Leutenising hormone
4. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
5. Estrogen
6. Progesterone
✔Hormone imbalances in men
Only a small percentage of male infertility is due to hormone imbalances. Male reproductive hormones are produced and regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-endocrine system, which is responsible for stimulating the testicles to produce and release healthy sperm.
Male Hormone imbalance problems include:
👉The testes (testicles) may not produce the proper quantity of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone responsible for sperm quality, sex drive and penile erection.
👉The pituitary gland can fail to produce adequate LH and FSH to stimulate the testes and the production of testosterone and sperm.
👉The brain may not produce the right amount of GnRH, which also affects production of testosterone and sperm.
CAUSES OF HORMONAL IMBALANCE
Hormonal imbalances can occur in men and women of almost any age, they are caused by a combination of factors such as your diet, medical history, genetics, stress levels and exposure to toxins from your environment. Some of the major contributors to hormonal imbalances include:
👉High insulin level
👉Diets high in refined foods and sugar
👉Exposure to environmental toxins (xenoestrogens)
👉High consumption of hydrogenated fats,
👉Lack of physical activity leading to weight gain.
👉Age is also a factor in reduced levels of hormones
👉Poor gut health
👉Inflammation
👉High amounts of stress
👉Genetic susceptibility
👉Toxicity (exposure to pesticides, toxins, viruses, cigarettes, excessive alcohol and harmful chemicals)
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Signs & Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalances
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of hormone imbalances include:
👉Infertility and irregular periods
👉Weight gain or weight loss (that’s unexplained and not due to intentional changes in your diet)
👉Depression and anxiety
👉Fatigue
👉Insomnia
👉Low libido
👉Changes in appetite
👉Digestive issues
👉Hair loss and hair thinning
Symptoms of hormonal imbalances can range drastically depending on what type of disorder or illness they cause. For example, high estrogen can contribute to problems including endometriosis and reproductive issues, while symptoms of diabetes often include weight gain, changes in appetite, nerve damage, and problems with eyesight.
✔Some specific problems associated with some of the most common hormonal imbalances include:
👉Estrogen dominance: This causes changes in sleep patterns, changes in weight and appetite, higher perceived stress, slowed metabolism
👉Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): This causes infertility, weight gain, higher risk for diabetes, acne, abnormal hair growth
👉Low estrogen: low sex drive, reproductive problems, menstrual irregularity, changes in mood
👉Hypothyroidism: slowed metabolism, weight gain, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, digestive issues, irregular periods
👉Low testosterone: erectile dysfunction, muscle loss, weight gain, fatigue, mood-related problems.
👉Hyperthyroidism & Grave’s Disease: anxiety, thinning hair, weight loss, IBS, trouble sleeping, irregular heartbeats
👉Diabetes: weight gain, nerve damage (neuropathy), higher risk for vision loss, fatigue, trouble breathing, dry mouth, skin problems.
👉Adrenal fatigue: fatigue, muscle aches and pains, anxiety and depression, trouble sleeping, brain fog, reproductive problems.
TREATMENT OF HORMONAL IMBALANCE
✔Medication
👉A physician may prescribe injectable hormones to adjust levels of LH, HCG, FSH or GnRH.
👉The most common drug used to correct hormone imbalances in women who are not ovulating properly is clomiphene citrate (Clomid) but not to be taken without a gynaecologist prescription.
👉Metformin improves a woman’s resistance to insulin, which can increase the likelihood of proper ovulation.
👉Letrozole is also used, particularly for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which often disrupts hormonal balances that cause ovulation.
Medications to correct male infertility
👉Bromocriptine (Parlodel) can correct elevated levels of the prolactin hormone, which can reduce sperm production and sex drive.
👉Clomiphene citrate can alter output of LH and FSH, which affects sperm production.
👉Injectable gonadotropins, primarily HCG and human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG), are used to treat men who have a condition that disrupts the signal for the testes to make sperm.
🍊NATURAL REMEDY TO CORRECT HORMONAL IMBALANCE🍎
Medications makes people dependent on taking prescription drugs for the rest of their lives in order to keep symptoms under control
The good news is there are ways to balance your hormones naturally.
✔Diet
If your diet is high in sugar, processed carbohydrates, hydrogenated fats, genetically modified foods, and conventional beef, dairy, and poultry, then you are more susceptible to obesity and all the associated diseases, plus an increase in hormonal imbalances.
✔Exercise
Physical activity is important to hormone balance, not to mention overall health and a good mental state. Exercise helps maintain hormone balance by reducing the level of cortisol in the body and sustaining serum insulin levels. Moderate exercise for 30 to 60 minutes each day can have a profound effect on hormone balance.
✔Bioidentical Hormone replacement therapy.
BHRT can balance hormone levels that become upset or deficient through lifestyle habits and aging. Forms of BHRT include progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone. Blood tests are taken to determine hormone levels. If there is a deficiency or imbalance, BHRT is recommended to safely balance hormone levels. Restoring hormone balance can provide greater protection from chronic diseases and alleviate menopausal symptoms. Fortunately, there are physicians specializing in age-management medicine who can help you determine which BHRT treatments are best for you.
Other natural treatments are:
✔1. Eat anti-inflammatory diet and Healthy Fats (Including Coconut Oil and Avocados)
Best sources of anti-inflammatory, healthy fats include: coconut oil, avocados, grass-fed butter and wild-caught salmon. Coconut oil uses are plentiful− for example coconut oil (or cream/milk) has natural anti-bacterial and fat-burning effects. Avocado benefits include improving heart health, lowering inflammation, controlling your appetite and contributing to your daily intake of fiber and nutrients such as potassum. Salmon nutrition is also impressive: it’s one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to lower inflammation and help with cognitive functions.
✔2. Supplement with Adaptogen Herbs
Adaptogen herbs are a unique class of healing plants that promote hormone balance and protection the body from a wide variety of diseases, including those caused by excess stress. In addition to boosting immune function and combating stress, research shows that various adapotogens — such as ashwagandha, medicinal mushrooms, rhodiola and holy basil — can:
Improve thyroid function
Lower cholesterol naturally
Reduce anxiety and depression
Reduce brain cell degeneration
Stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels
Support adrenal gland functions
✔3. Balance Your Intake of Omega-3 to Omega-6 Fats
Steer clear of the foods that can cause damage in your digestive system most, including: processed foods, gluten, hydrogenated oils and added sugar. The top foods and supplements that support healing leaky gut include: bone broth, kefir, fermented vegetables, and high-fiber foods like vegetables and sprouted seeds. In addition, supplements like digestive enzymes and probiotics can aid in repairing your gut lining, which in turn can balance your hormones.
✔4. Eliminate Toxic Kitchen, Beauty and Body Care Products
✔5. Improve Gut Health & Heal Leaky Gut Syndrome
Another way to eliminate toxins in your body is to avoid conventional body care products that are made with potentially-harmful chemicals including DEA, parabens, propylene glycol and sodium lauryl sulfate. A better alternative is to use natural products made with ingredients like essential oils, coconut oil, shea butter and castor oil. The Environmental Working Group evaluated over 72,000 products and ranked them in an easy-to-understand guide to make sure you have a resource to keep your family safe.
✔6. Reduce your use of plastic and aluminum
Another thing to consider is your use of plastic bottles, aluminum cans and containers. It’s best to replace plastic and aluminum with glass and stainless steel because of the toxic effects of BPA. Another wise precaution is to switch from teflon pans to stainless steel, ceramic or cast iron, which can make a big difference in the amount of chemicals making their way into the food you prepare.
✔7. Exercise (Especially Interval Training)
Exercise in general is great for balancing hormones because it reduces inflammation, can help you maintain a healthy weight, lowers stress, helps regulate your appetite, and aids in getting better sleep.
Exercise can also enhance your immune system, allow your cells to take up more glucose (which lowers insulin), protect you from depression, and keep you more alert without the need for caffeine.
✔8. Reduce Stress & Get More Sleep
Unless you get 7-8 hours of sleep every night, you’re doing your body no favors. A lack of sleep or disturbing your natural circadian rhythm can be one of the worst habits contributing to a hormone imbalance. How so? Because your hormones work on a schedule! Case in point: Cortisol, the primary “stress hormone”, is regulated at midnight. Therefore, people who go to bed late never truly get a break from their sympathetic flight/fight stress response.
✔9. Watch Your Caffeine & Alcohol Intake
Caffeine in moderate amounts might be okay for some people, but drinking too much caffeine is almost as bad as not getting enough sleep. Caffeine, which can stay in your system for up to six hours, is a chemical that affects the central nervous system (CNS) and raises your heart rate, increases alertness, and changes the way your brain produces hormones. You’re probably aware that caffeine is addictive by nature, increases nervousness and anxiety in many people, and is linked with insomnia.
✔10. Supplement with Vitamin D3
Vitamin D almost acts like a hormone inside the body and has important implications for keeping inflammation levels low. This is why people who live in dark areas often suffer from seasonal depression and other health problems unless they supplement with vitamin D. Sunshine is really the best way to optimize vitamin D levels because your bare skin actually makes vitamin D on its own when exposed to even small amounts of direct sunlight.
✔11. Back Off Birth Control Pills
In simplest terms, “the pill” is a type of hormone therapy that raises estrogen levels to such dangerous levels that it can cause many complications, so take precautions When Treating Hormonal Imbalances with pills.
HLF🌀
